The Spencer Journal

11/09/2024

Spencer follows most voter trends on ballot questions

SPENCER – Spencer voters rejected an election ballot question to participate in the Community Preservation Act (CPA) program, with 2,769 yes votes to 3,153 in opposition. The adoption would …

11/08/2024

Special Town Meeting approves all warrant articles: Read full story.

11/05/2024

Selectmen address South Spencer Road fire, senior work off program error

The senior tax work off program and the South Spencer Road fire prompted discussion at the November 4 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Town Administrator Jeff Bridges said a “miscommunication” from h…

11/05/2024

STOP BURNING!

SPENCER – Fire Chief Robert Parsons is reminding all residents that there is a burning ban in Spencer in the wake of 100+ brush fires in the state over the past week burning more than 600 ac…

11/04/2024

Special Town Meeting warrant includes bylaw changes, funding shift

SPENCER – Zoning bylaw changes related to accessory apartments, a movement of funds to cover the Lake Street School demolition project and a mechanism to remove Finance Committee members are…

10/31/2024

SPENCER - Ideally, Cheryl Donahue, director of the Richard Sugden Library, would always have a minimum of four people working on the building’s two floors. She would add one staff person and extend hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to 7 p.m. “I hope this beautiful gem remains vital and active for the community,” she said. Donahue was the latest department head to appear before the Board of Selectmen on October 28....

SPENCER – Ideally, Cheryl Donahue, director of the Richard Sugden Library, would always have a minimum of four people working on the building’s two floors. She would add one staff person and…

10/22/2024

School Building Committee hears updates about timing, processes

SPENCER – In addition to hearing updates about the $116 million high school renovation and expansion project, the David Prouty School Building Committee on October 17 restored items and held…

10/18/2024

Maple Brook Horse Sanctuary becomes nonprofit, announces fundraisers

A new nonprofit in Spencer provides a `forever home,’ for senior and at-risk horses as well as a therapeutic benefit for veterans and others with whom they come in contact. The Maple Brook Horse S…

10/12/2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Town of Spencer Seeks Public Input on Municipal Aggregation Plan

The Town of Spencer has filed a petition for approval of a municipal aggregation plan with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (D.P.U. 24-107). A public hearing will be held on Novemb…

10/12/2024

Spencer-East Brookfield is exploring a move to a new 'super league' for fairer competition across sports

Director of Athletics Thomas Miller spoke to the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School Committee on October 8 about leaving the Southern Worcester County League (SWCL) to create a “super league,…

10/12/2024

Administrators outline steps to improve following release of MCAS results

At its October 8 meeting, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School Committee heard presentations surrounding Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results and how factors like ab…

10/11/2024

Lt. Norman Hodgerney Jr. to receive Blue & Gold Award

Lieutenant Norman Hodgerney Jr. of the Spencer Police Department will receive the Blue & Gold Award from the National Exchange Club at a ceremony at 308 Lakeside in East Brookfield on October …

10/11/2024

Spencer-East Brookfield schools tackle cell phone use with a balanced approach, focusing on respect, responsibility, and student well-being.

Massachusetts has awarded approximately $1.3 million in grants to address cell phone use in 77 school districts, part of a one-year federal pilot program. Movements to further restrict or ban elec…

10/03/2024

Selectmen review needs of utilities, highway departments as Proposition 2 ½ override talks resume.

10/01/2024

Spencer is set to welcome a new methadone clinic, but concerns over infrastructure and rising rescue service costs spark debate among selectmen.

The Board of Selectmen on September 30 met with representatives from Habit Opco, which is slated to open a methadone clinic at 401 East Main Street in January. Attending were Laura Frangipane, reg…

09/25/2024

Public safety needs kick off override talks

At the first public hearing about a potential Proposition 2 ½ override, the Board of Selectmen heard from the fire and police chiefs about their departments’ needs as well as factors impacting the…

09/21/2024

Planning Board approves permit amendment for Prouty project

SPENCER – At its September 19 meeting, the Planning Board approved an amendment to the stormwater permit for the David Prouty High School project to include additional measures to help contr…

09/20/2024

Bylaw changes affecting accessory apartments on agenda

SPENCER – At the Sept. 17 Planning Board meeting, Town Administrator Jeff Bridges introduced a proposed warrant article for November Special Town Meeting concerning bylaw changes for accesso…